At this moment, all eyes were fixed on Lan Lan. Li Li quietly pulled its paw from her grasp, tilting its head as it studied the young woman.
"Amitabha! Your name is Wei Lanlan. You must be a member of the ruling family of Weilan Star. Ran Xi only said that to ensure you convey today's conversation to your family. We don't wish to be stabbed in the back after extending our help."
Yun Chen said this because he still didn't know Yunxi had already formed a contract with the Misty Snow Domain. If they acted to assist now, it would mean using up some of their limited resources early. Later, facing the highly advanced Weilan Star people would put them at a disadvantage.
Lan Lan hadn't expected that, even though she had deliberately revealed her identity to Minister Ruo Bai while avoiding these four, they had still seen through her. Her throat tightened, and she instinctively hugged Li Li closer, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Master Ran Xi, when did you start suspecting my identity?"
Yunxi smiled faintly. "When Xia Mengmeng was possessed, you, as her close personal assistant, were perfectly fine. Isn't that odd?
More importantly, when you saw Li Li, your eyes lit up with affection, not surprise. That alone showed you'd seen other red pandas before. Yet the places where red pandas live are all guarded by military personnel. How did you manage to see one?
Given your age, I can't imagine you accomplishing that without your family's influence. Moreover, your soul is completely pure, fully cleansed, with even your memories erased. This should be your final reincarnation. After you turn forty, your soul will scatter."
Lan Lan gave a bitter smile. "As expected of Master. You're right about everything. My family is indeed the most powerful ruling clan on Weilan Star, the one that unified the entire planet.
I don't know what contributions I made for my family in the past. All I know is that since I was born, my parents have wanted me to live happily. I love chasing celebrities, and I adore Xia Mengmeng's movies. So they arranged for me to become her assistant. I found it fascinating and enjoyable.
But I never expected to meet Master Ran Xi, nor to learn about the greatest secret of Weilan Star this way—that I won't live past forty."
Han Lian shook her head. "Your family has only fueled this situation. Go back and tell them we need to know their decision."
"I understand."
Lan Lan rose from the sofa, reluctantly patted Li Li, and prepared to return it to Yunxi.
Yunxi smiled. "Since you like Li Li, let him accompany you back. When your family has made their decision, bring Li Li back to me."
Lan Lan's eyes widened in surprise. She nodded happily, hugged Li Li, and left.
Once Lan Lan had gone, Yunxi turned to Minister Ruo Bai. "We've learned most of the situation. While we wait for Lan Lan's response, we'll stay near the Special Department so you can find me anytime."
Ruo Bai was stunned for a moment, not understanding her meaning. Because of the Special Department's nature, no buildings existed within a five-kilometer radius of its tower. What did she mean by staying "nearby"?
"Amitabha, Minister Ruo Bai. We'll take our leave."
The four of them rose and calmly left the Special Department's skyscraper by elevator.
The Gongsun brothers and Captain Chen couldn't read anything from their expressions and instead looked to Minister Ruo Bai, who only shook his head without explanation.
Since Captain Chen and his colleague were assigned to accompany Han Lian, they followed her into the same elevator.
Han Lian fell behind slightly and spoke to them. "The Special Department has asked me and my friends to handle some matters. I'll be staying here for some time, so make your own arrangements. There's no need to shadow me so closely."
Captain Chen cleared his throat. "Understood. Professor Huang just sent a message asking when you'll return to the research base."
"Tell him I won't be back for a while. The situation here is extremely complicated and even linked to the creatures stationed at your base."
Captain Chen froze, then nodded seriously, but he still escorted Han Lian to the underground parking lot before departing.
Meanwhile, Yunxi had already thrown out her capsule artifact. A three-courtyard estate materialized beside the Special Department's skyscraper. Its traditional style clashed with the futuristic tower, nearly making Captain Chen's jaw drop.
Han Lian chuckled. "Don't look so shocked. I'll take my leave."
Once the four entered the magical residence, Yunxi flicked her sleeve, closing the vermillion gates and activating protective wards, restoring peace and privacy.
Inside the small garden, Yunxi brewed spiritual tea and poured each of them a cup. "I'm sorry for dragging you all into this."
Han Lian rolled her eyes. "What does this have to do with you?"
Yunxi didn't hold back, recounting what she'd told Xun Kun, and also sharing their findings with Han Lian and Yun Chen.
After hearing her out, Han Lian chuckled. "Looks like we're lucky this time, thanks to Yunxi. I'd say we're not far from returning to Weiyu Realm. I was lamenting losing Han Baifeng as an ally, but it seems my spirit beast is safe. We should celebrate!"
With the secret realm as a backup, Han Lian felt a lot more at ease.
A smile spread across Yun Chen's face. "Amitabha. There's no need to apologize. We're a team. We train together, and we stand together. If we can resolve Weilan Star's crisis, that's a great merit in itself."
He treated this unexpected mission as another worldly trial, and with the secret realm as a fallback, morale improved significantly.
Finally, Xun Kun spoke. "Ran Xi sharing the secret of her contracted realm was her own choice, so we could feel safe in a foreign world. When we return to Weiyu Realm, I'll swear an oath before Heaven not to reveal this to anyone."
"Amitabha. I agree."
"Do I even need to say it? If the Heavenly Dao wasn't so weak here, I'd swear right now."
Yunxi smiled at their words, then turned the conversation back to Weilan Star's crisis.
Han Lian shook her head. "They're digging their own graves. Those creatures are incredibly strong, able to wound even fully armed guards. If I hadn't intervened in time, they might have broken through the base's defenses."
Yun Chen frowned. "Do you think the underworld closing the Ghost Gate is punishment for Weilan Star?"
Xun Kun nodded. "That's my theory as well. Overriding the underworld and seizing control of reincarnation is a grave taboo."
"Then putting Weilan Star back on track will be even harder. What if the underworld refuses to cooperate?"
"What else can we do? Destroy the Reincarnation System, erase the technology completely, and confiscate every purification crystal.
Then, with the combined strength of daoists, demons, Buddhists, and beasts, we'll knock on the Ghost Gate. Ran Xi, you should reach out to your old acquaintances. Even if we fail, we must at least secure a path through the underworld to return to Weiyu Realm."